RE: 45-mile Focus RS goes to auction

[Escort Si-130]

What a load of tripe. It had good press reviews when it came out. As years went on and other cars came out, it then got left behind. It was the hot hatch to beat back in late 2008.

s m said:

yonex said:

s m said:

Imagine if it was a Porsche or old M-car - would be 5 times the price!

It's not old. It's not even a very good RS? Why would you buy this over a sorted Mk1, or even the latest car?

None of the Focus RS' were that great if you read the press reports

Don't think cars have to be class leaders to command strong prices - witness the quarter of a million for an old Sportomatic 911 .........you literally couldn't give those away in the 80s because of the gearbox........but then .... It has a Porsche badge

[Escort Si-130]

Well Ford were still racing with the mk1 and mk2 Focus, just that they did not give the public the car models that were used in competition. Hardly any manufactures did. Now its even less.
The success and heritage built up over the years is what makes the RS badge what it is today. The same way the GTI badge on a Golf is still more favoured than a R. Or a BMW 'M' badge has that following years gone by.

Mansells Tash said:

culpz said:

The prices shouldn't be a surprise, especially when looking at the much older RS products and seeing the insane prices that they're going for.

Hangon for a second though, the RS brand is all about racing heritage, all of the older RS models have direct links to significant periods of success in motorsport. THAT is meant to be what gives them their value, the same applies to Subaru and the 22b and the RB5 and the Mitsubishi Evo 6 TME etc. That all ended with the MK1 RS Focus for Ford.

You can't just ignore all that and say "well the old ones are worth a lot so these should be too".

• edited to add: some people obviously think you can because there are examples of the RS Focus MK 2 actually selling at these over inflated prices

It really doesn't stack up for me and I think there will be a price dip in these at some point.

Edited by Mansells Tash on Tuesday 21st March 11:19

[s m]

Escort Si-130 said:

What a load of tripe. It had good press reviews when it came out. As years went on and other cars came out, it then got left behind. It was the hot hatch to beat back in late 2008.

Yeah, very true, you know how it is though... people only agree with press reports if they approve of the car

[Escort Si-130]

leonintegra36 said:

My friend had a mk2 RS on order swopping an Escort Cosworth he owned; a bad move dynamically/residually... Same blue hue, looked dull unlike on the Escort. I preferred green.

I remember him trying to keep up with my stripped original Honda Crx VTEC on one chance encounter and every time from the line I remember the RS's absurd wheel spin and sound of shredded rubber all the way into third. Nice enough cars at eight tenths. He didn't keep it long after that.

No the Escort RS Cosworth was Imperial blue, Focus RS Performance Blue, lol

I am sure if he also stripped his RS and modified it, he would have kicked your ass.

[Rick1.8t]

Escort Si-130 said:

Typical bell end of the week comment. I guess this is how you see yourself wanting to buy a Ferrari and cant afford the council tax or the insurance for it.

HGFdodger said:

Could understand a pricey mk1 RS, but these have always baffled me. I know the setup is supposed to be good, but it's still too much power for the fronts. £20kish for a mk2 makes sense as they're sought after but this to me just seems ridiculous, there's a lot more you could get for your money, whether it be a well set up tool or just something to look at everyday. If you're genuinely contemplating buying this car I'd say STOP!! You can't afford the council house and the car, especially not when you've got your tattoo booked to get your stoke city fc badge printed on your arm...

Agreed - total crap talk, I have a good friend who's family have a passion for fast fords, they are also really well off and very decent people, put your head back up your arse.

Fast fords have been going this way for a long time, anything with the 'RS' badge and especially a cosworth means rising value, if you dont see why this is the case, fine - Plenty do so it just doesnt matter.

I also think you are completely missing the point when you blat on about too much power for the fronts etc etc, the cars that are increasing in value are not going to be ragged to an inch of their lives, they will be weekend cars - something to put away as values are increasing, most owners wont care if they torque steer a bit or dont do the ring in a certain time.

Besides, its not just fords, a local dealer had an S2000 advertised for £20k (mid 40,000 mileage too), take a look at this mini - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MINI-Hatch-COOPER-S-JCW-...

[anonymous-user]

Escort Si-130 said:

What a load of tripe. It had good press reviews when it came out. As years went on and other cars came out, it then got left behind. It was the hot hatch to beat back in late 2008.

Back in 2008.

VW Golf GTI
Honda Civic Type R
Renaultsport Clio 197 Cup
Ford Focus ST
MINI JCW
SEAT Leon Cupra
Vauxhall Corsa VXR

[MDMA .]

I'd still like to know who is buying these 7 year old MK2 FRS for 20/25k with 40k miles on the clock because all I see is the same ones at the same dealers month in, month out.

[culpz]

MDMA . said:

I'd still like to know who is buying these 7 year old MK2 FRS for 20/25k with 40k miles on the clock because all I see is the same ones at the same dealers month in, month out.

They're probably only bought by proper Ford and RS enthusiasts or picked up by people who will garage them and hope to sell them on in the future for a profit. The latter being a dying shame in my eyes.

Also, there is a generic stigma out there that says you must be mad spending that kind of money on a pimped-up Ford Focus hatchback when, for the same money, you can have a E92 M3 or a 997 Porsche etc.

While there may be some truth there, it's also a bit of a saddening mindset in my eyes. These also seem to be on the commonly-stolen list too so maybe that's more than enough to put people off.

[HGFdodger]

Rick1.8t said:

Escort Si-130 said:

Typical bell end of the week comment. I guess this is how you see yourself wanting to buy a Ferrari and cant afford the council tax or the insurance for it.

HGFdodger said:

Could understand a pricey mk1 RS, but these have always baffled me. I know the setup is supposed to be good, but it's still too much power for the fronts. £20kish for a mk2 makes sense as they're sought after but this to me just seems ridiculous, there's a lot more you could get for your money, whether it be a well set up tool or just something to look at everyday. If you're genuinely contemplating buying this car I'd say STOP!! You can't afford the council house and the car, especially not when you've got your tattoo booked to get your stoke city fc badge printed on your arm...

Agreed - total crap talk, I have a good friend who's family have a passion for fast fords, they are also really well off and very decent people, put your head back up your arse.

Fast fords have been going this way for a long time, anything with the 'RS' badge and especially a cosworth means rising value, if you dont see why this is the case, fine - Plenty do so it just doesnt matter.

I also think you are completely missing the point when you blat on about too much power for the fronts etc etc, the cars that are increasing in value are not going to be ragged to an inch of their lives, they will be weekend cars - something to put away as values are increasing, most owners wont care if they torque steer a bit or dont do the ring in a certain time.

Besides, its not just fords, a local dealer had an S2000 advertised for £20k (mid 40,000 mileage too), take a look at this mini - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MINI-Hatch-COOPER-S-JCW-...

S2000 and GP I understand, really raved about cars. The mk1 and mk3 are the same, as with so many other fast fords, but what was so special about the mk2? Nothing.

I'm not arguing because I can't. The car is priced as it is which inevitably means there's an audience for it - just not my idea of an investment.

[blearyeyedboy]

skidskid said:

My father in law has an RS in white with ~10k miles on it. Had it from new and completely standard. Every year without fail when he takes it for a service the dealer offers him alot more than he paid for it new.

He keeps looking to swap it but cant part with it now as its going up in value so much. I think he'll dry store it and sell it in 10 years and buy something else to actually drive. The funny thing is he did use it alot until people kept offering lots of cash for it, then it became to valuable to drive. Especially compared to how much money you make on savings etc, its a no brainer to use as an investment.

This poster speaks sense.

If it goes for £45k, that'll be roughly 7.5% pa interest in a time spanning the financial sub-prime crisis (admittedly not allowing for service costs, insurance, storage etc. but even those will not dent the return too much). There are far worse investments, and far worse incentives to buy and dry store a Mk3 Focus RS while you can, if you have £30k to invest at the moment and can wait for a decade.

Would I do so? I'm not sure I would have the sense to not drive it... seems a shame to let all that potential go to waste.

[AMGJocky]

70k for any Focus RS is offensive.

[Glosole]

I think this is rather amusing mainly because I have one . Had it from new back in late 2009. Yes I have other cars and faster cars but really I still enjoy this as A to B its as quick as anything and is economical whilst doing so and fun. So done 34k in mine and nothing has really gone wrong with it apart from a leaky front strut. Eibac springs and different tyres transformed the handling. Most of the posts are from those who don't get that anything with an RS badge with 2 doors will drop in value but after a say 10 or so years will regain most of it back. Was up for buying the new Mk3 soon as they anounced it was 4 door that is going to be a residual nighmare like the old Cosworth Saphire sorry Fords but history will prove me right. So looks like I have a keeper. And you if don't snap one up will miss the boat.

[Uncle John]

So many people on here with no driving experience of the mk2 and want to kick it for just not liking it, all in their opinion of course.

"Nothing Special", "Can't see why so coveted", "Halfords bodykit" blah blah blah...

The mk2 is actually as bespoke as you can get for a mainstream hot hatch, have a read up on the differences from an ST. It's not just a software update there is a lot of hardware involved.

The 2.5 5 cyl, a marvellous sounding unit with low down torque then a chase to the red line. Only something a TTRS or RS3 has now.

It's not about the drag race, on the move the car is brutal, in gear it can live with a lot of exotic machinery.

And before anyone says, my mates Mountune ST is faster.... well it's tuned isn't it. Try an MR375 RS and report back.

Great cars, would love another and whatever this car goes for, then that's the market value. Would love it personally, PB is a beautiful colour.

[SandyT]

My guess is that the guy comes home saying "Honey, I bought a new car!". Wife says "There's no way I'm ever being seen in that ". Eight years of arguments later, it's being sold to fund the divorce settlement...

Edited by SandyT on Tuesday 21st March 18:26

[Ahbefive]

Glosole said:

Was up for buying the new Mk3 soon as they anounced it was 4 door that is going to be a residual nighmare like the old Cosworth Saphire sorry Fords but history will prove me right.

You obviously haven't looked at the price of Sapphire Cosworths recently. A residual nightmare? Certainly not, the cheapest 140k miler is £13k and a low mileage one is £40k+. Obviously history has already proven you wrong.

Also the mk2 Focus RS is 3door and the mk3 is a 5door.

Edited by Ahbefive on Tuesday 21st March 19:02

[loose cannon]

If somebody is willing to pay £60k for a mk3 escort series 1 turbo
Then anything is possible !

[novus]

SandyT said:

My guess is that the guy comes home saying "Honey, I bought a new car!". Wife says "There's no way I'm ever being seen in that ". Eight years of arguments later, it's being sold to fund the divorce settlement...

Edited by SandyT on Tuesday 21st March 18:26

Have another guess

That one was rubbish

[novus]

HGFdodger said:

If you're genuinely contemplating buying this car I'd say STOP!! You can't afford the council house and the car, especially not when you've got your tattoo booked to get your stoke city fc badge printed on your arm...

Jesus wept ...

[Wills2]

Uncle John said:

So many people on here with no driving experience of the mk2 and want to kick it for just not liking it, all in their opinion of course.

"Nothing Special", "Can't see why so coveted", "Halfords bodykit" blah blah blah...

The mk2 is actually as bespoke as you can get for a mainstream hot hatch, have a read up on the differences from an ST. It's not just a software update there is a lot of hardware involved.

The 2.5 5 cyl, a marvellous sounding unit with low down torque then a chase to the red line. Only something a TTRS or RS3 has now.

It's not about the drag race, on the move the car is brutal, in gear it can live with a lot of exotic machinery.

And before anyone says, my mates Mountune ST is faster.... well it's tuned isn't it. Try an MR375 RS and report back.

Great cars, would love another and whatever this car goes for, then that's the market value. Would love it personally, PB is a beautiful colour.

Not so sure, I've driven 2, a stock one and a tuned one, we also did a friendly pull from 40mph my 911 dropped the stock one instantly zero contest, my M3 edged ahead of the tuned one even though my DSC was cutting the power and I couldn't get traction (honours even, not the RS fault the M3 has more torque than traction)

They are OK to drive but a 911 or M3 have them beaten hollow in terms of how they feel to drive, the prices are silly but then again it's not my money.

You could get a 997 or M3 for that money, I'll never understand why people would choose the Focus.

[Glosole]

Ahbefive said:

You obviously haven't looked at the price of Sapphire Cosworths recently. A residual nightmare? Certainly not, the cheapest 140k miler is £13k and a low mileage one is £40k+. Obviously history has already proven you wrong.

Also the mk2 Focus RS is 3door and the mk3 is a 5door.

Edited by Ahbefive on Tuesday 21st March 19:02

Sorry I thought a door was something you actually use to gain ingress to the seats and the rear enty was a hatch hence hatch back? I stand corrected and will gain entry through the rear in future thanks for the tip.

Ok give you a low mileage dealer speculator Sapphire might be an exception but maybe because so many got converted to rear drive or the engines robbed for kit cars or old ford upgrades as they had little value a few years back except for the motor so perhaps there is hardly any correct ones left. Still think a Cosworth 3 door in your parlance is worth vastly more in like for like terms so you proved my point sort of. Either way a friend of mine with both types of cosworth is rubbing his hands together with glee.